Urgent health alert after deadly disease is detected in Sydney: Three people hospitalised
Aussies have been warned to check for symptoms.
- Three people were hospitalised
- Had been in Clarence Street in Sydney CBD
- READ MORE: What is Legionnaires' disease, symptoms and how it spreads
By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: 22:27 GMT, 28 December 2025 | Updated: 22:27 GMT, 28 December 2025
Health authorities have issued an urgent alert to millions of Sydneysiders after Legionnaires’ disease was detected in the CBD in the lead-up to Christmas.
Three people, who are not known to each other, were hospitalised after they became infected between December 9-18.
The trio spent time near Clarence Street and anyone who visited the area since December 9 has been urged to be vigilant for symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria.
Outbreaks often occur when environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated with bacteria.
NSW Health and City of Sydney Council are now working to trace the source of infection and haven't ruled out the possibility that the cases are not linked.
'People are exposed if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are in the air and then breathed in,' South Eastern Sydney Local Health District acting director Mark Ferson said.
Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person, but can be fatal if left untreated.
Sydneysiders are urged to watch for Legionnaires’ disease symptoms
Symptoms can develop up to ten days after exposure.
Symptoms to look out for include a cough, chills, fever, shortness of breath, and severe pneumonia.
Those most at risk include the elderly, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and smokers.
Sydney recorded two deadly outbreaks earlier this year.
Twelve people became ill in March after visiting the CBD.
A man aged in his 50s with underlying health conditions, who contracted the disease, later died in hospital.
An elderly man in his 80s also died, and six others were hospitalised in July following a separate outbreak at Potts Point in the city's east.